The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-12-14


close to the guard and the men who were
working outside. Night came on. and l
supposed we had seen the last of the poor
fellow but on resuming work in the morn
ing, to my surprise there was our eX-cOm-
rade, still lingering near the scene of his
disgrace and the walls that incIOSed so
many months of hateful restraint and
weary toll. l then thought of how strange
to my mind had been the return of that
character in Little DOrrit," by Dickens, to
again view the old MarshalSea prison, where
for SO many years he was known as the
Father" and how during the Gordon riots
the Newgate prison was demolished and
the prisoners released, and on the morrow
they back to view the scene of their wretch
ednesS. and were arrested by the score. 1t
seemed very unreal, but Dickens had no doubt
often seen the phase of character in life.
How long this poor man might have re-
manned in the vicinity of the prison | do
not know, had not his presence attracted
the attention of an old gentleman connected
with the car company, who procured for
him place to work in a flour mill, and he
was seen by us no more. But l will never
forget his woe begOne and frendleSs look
and the melancholy fact that with all the
big world before him he would choose to
linger near this spot OF all others.
= 4 x
The charities and corrections nave at last
hit on one measure, the ultimate good of
which is incalcuabe but il the circulnlOcu-
ton which usually attends the workings of
bodies devoted to "cold charity" could be
Obviated or at least abridged, to the min
imum period OF inactivity characteristic of
precedent, it would preclude much suffer
ing, for prisoners are being discharged every
day all over the country, and as they 90 out
into the world which they have regarded so
long with longing. and find it cold and
cheerless, with no friends OF even acQuaint-
ences. and every one hustling and Schem-
ing for himself, with no time or desire to
notice him. The contrast to the former con-
dition is discouraging, for in prison he was
at least unit and in the great world he
immagineS he is a nOnenity. The old life
with its dearly bought designations comes
back and the temptation to plunge into the
whirl Of alleged enhancing bliss is too strong,
and so society is reinforced to tie extent Of
one enemy. OF course there are exceptions
to this rule; for instance that of the 'Old
timer" He steps out the door. takes two
or three shifts of the free air. rapidly takes
his bearings and with bee line course makes
for the nearest barrel house, and noncha-
lantly injectS into the inner man two or
three glasses of tangle foot He then pro-
cures railroad map and with a. practical
and busness-Iike air sits down and proceeds
to map out his future campaign. He does
not waste his time repenting: he knows it is
useless. Looking for charity he knows
means nOteriety, and he don't want that.
He has been there before and knows all
about it. and simply follows the only course
that his limited intelligence tells him is
compatible with happiness. Is he to be
pitied or condemned for his lack of charac-
ter? Tell me. reader devoid of prejudice,
is not society Just little responsible for
some OF the adamantine qualities OF some
of it's members, and are not these men crea-
lures of circumstances, partly? +. NJ.
Dec. 10, 1887.